The biggest public health issue concerning Katherine – PFAS – failed to get a mention during the Chief Minister’s speech today.
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Chief Minister Michael Gunner spoke to about 100 people in Katherine today to outline the Territory’s path for the next year and beyond.
Hot on his agenda of topics to cover were the first homeowner scheme, Nitmiluk National Park upgrades, investments in solar and medical marijuana.
It wasn’t until questioned by the Katherine Times that Mr Gunner confirmed the PFAS treatment plant was “definitely happening this year”.
No deal has yet been signed for the purchase of the US-made plant, to remove PFAS chemicals from all the town’s drinking water, although water officials insist work will start on its installation by the end of this year.
The Department of Defence has already agreed to pay the expected $14 million price tag for the 10-megalitre a day plant.
Katherine will remain on water restrictions for this year at least.
Mr Gunner said because of the poor wet season in Katherine he would talk to the Department of Defence about bringing the arrival date forward.
“I would be stunned if we didn’t have a treatment plant in Katherine this year,” Mr Gunner said.
Mr Gunner’s annual lunch was an opportunity for the 100 or so residents to speak with the Chief Minister.
It was also an opportunity for Mr Gunner to rebuild confidence in the government.
“People are doing it tough in the NT,” Mr Gunner said.
“It is my job as Chief Minister... to give you confidence and provide leadership and direction.
“We have to invest in the things that matter to you – to cut crime, and create jobs.”
While there were no new big announcements, Mr Gunner said it was “exciting to see the trials that are happening around rotational crops, from chia to peanuts to quinoa to soybeans.
“This comes on top of the hemp trials that have been done and the laws will change later this year to make industrial hemp a reality.
“Medical marijuana already has the regulations it needs… we are actually going to see some medical marijuana crops starting this year in the Northern Territory.”
On fracking, Mr Gunner said Katherine is the community most likely to benefit from the extra economic activity of exploration.
“We know from our moratorium and our independent inquiry that we can create jobs in onshore gas, only if we protect the environment and protect those existing jobs in cattle, fishing, farming and tourism,” Mr Gunner said.
“Last week we took a significant step in doing that with the environment minister moving chains of laws to protect ground water and surface water, and very soon you’ll see the updated no-go zone maps and have confidence around Katherine being frack-free.
“We know how important it is as a government to implement those recommendations that the independent inquiry handed down guides the Northern Territory to be the world’s best when it comes to regulation.
“It is why everybody who is passionate about this keeps looking over our shoulder, keeps giving us a hard time, and keeps making sure we are doing what we said we would do with those recommendations.”
The Chief Minister also said the government was tackling generational change now as well as fixing four new CCTV cameras in Katherine this year.
The invitation-only lunch with Mr Gunner was held at Godinymayin Yijard Rivers Arts and Culture Centre.
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